Cotton Insect Losses - 1998

Background

This information was provided by state coordinators and was collected
from surveys of county agents, extension specialists, private consultants and research
entomologists. All data are averaged over a total reporting unit. For example, if a
unit report represents 100 acres and an 8% loss on 25 of these acres, then in the table
summary this shows up as a 2% loss. ((.08 .25)/100). This type of averaging is used for
all data reported including yields and costs of control. Because of averaging and rounding
some individual state summary numbers listed as `0' are slightly larger. Costs are
averaged to the nearest cent, bales and acres to the nearest whole number, other numbers
are rounded to the nearest .001. Bales are calculated at 480 pounds, and a cost of $0.65
per pound of lint is used in figuring costs.

Highlights

Arthropod pests reduced overall yield by 7.98% in 1998. Both acreage and yields were
down, partially due to weather. The bollworm/budworm complex, causing 2.71% loss, was the
number one arthropod pest of cotton in 1998. Eight-five percent (85%)of US cotton acres
was infested by heliothines. Of those, 70% were bollworms, H. zea. Only 55% of US
acreage is reported infested by boll weevils but they are 1998's second worse pest at 2.3%
loss. Lygus at 1.04% loss is the only other pest to exceed 1% reduction in yield.
Thrips (0.352%) and aphids (0.333%) complete the the top five insect pests of 1998. Beet
and fall armyworms (0.281 and 0.221%) also contributed heavily to losses in some areas.
Cotton fleahoppers (0.208%) and spider mites (0.241%) were also significant pests in some
areas of the belt. Total cost of management and loss to insects to the 1998 crop was $1.22
billion or $114.28 per acre. Of those costs approximately $63 are direct insect management
costs.

Explanation of Tables

In an attempt at capturing as many of the costs of insect management
as possible, the Cotton Insect Losses estimates have changed in the last few
years. They were begun as a simple attempt to arrive at the `average cost of
spraying insecticide for control of cotton arthropod pests. We still attempt
to arrive at the most accurate estimate possible for spray activities, but have
also added some of the other costs which are incurred in cotton insect pest
management. These `additional costs increase the bottom line of expenditures
for arthropod pest management - but also more accurately reflect true expenditures.
We include `at planting insecticide costs,(an estimate of the cost of
systemic insecticides applied at planting for control of thrips and other pests
of seedling cotton) `Bt cotton costs,(an estimate of the technology fee
and the seed surcharge) `eradication costs(which include the maintenance
fee in those states which have eradicated the weevil and other eradication projects)
and `scouting costs to the traditional `foliar insecticide costs.
Bales lost are also given a dollar value using 480 pound bales at $0.65 per
pound. Remember, these are estimates and may not totally reflect an individual
farm or area, but they do reflect trends and serve as a general comparison.